State’s museums diverse

BY DAVE HELTZEL
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Published: November 28, 2017

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FILE - In a May 7, 1999 file photo, vistors to Frank Lloyd Wright's archetectural masterpiece Fallingwater tour the home in Mill Run, Pa. An overflowing stream following heavy rain toppled a large bronze statue Saturday, July 15, 2017, at architect Frank Lloyd Wright‚Äôs iconic Fallingwater house in Pennsylvania, officials said. The flooding early Saturday from Bear Run, which flows beneath the National Historic Landmark, toppled a tree that hit a wall and apparently dislodged the ‚ÄúMother and Child‚Äù statue from its place, said Director Lynda Waggoner, of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The interior of the home wasn‚Äôt damaged.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

The advertisements luring Pennsylvanians to Maryland, New York and New Jersey were all over television this summer.

But why not visit Pennsylvania first?

There is much to see in the commonwealth, including hundreds of museums.

As president of PA Museums, I assure you there is a museum — or, in many cases, more than one museum — that will interest every member of the family.

Scranton is a hive of museum activity, for instance.

Steamtown National Historic Site draws visitors from across the state and nation. But don’t overlook the amazing Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art, or the Lackawanna Historical Society, among others.

If you look to visit a wider area in Pennsylvania, how about a trip to the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site in Philadelphia. Several movies have been filmed at the prison.

Mother and grandmother might like to bask in the beauty of the Scott Arboretum adjacent to Swarthmore College in Delaware County. The extensive Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is always worth a drive during any season. Perhaps you would enjoy the Jimmy Stewart Museum, showcasing the actor’s life, in Indiana.

How could dad not enjoy the Stoogeum? It bills itself as the world’s first and largest museum of Three Stooges memorabilia in Ambler, Montgomery County. Dad or granddad might also enjoy a visit to the Center for Art in Wood located in Philadelphia. There’s the World of Little League Museum in Williamsport and the Penn State All-Sports Museum in Centre County.

If you look for something more artsy, there is the James A. Michener Art Museum, named for the Pulitzer Prize–winning writer, in Doylestown.

If your family is into birding, a visit to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh — the country’s largest aviary — may be worth the trip. Or consider the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County.

If you enjoy architecture, a trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater house in Fayette County will be a memorable experience.

Have you spent a day exploring the Pennsylvania State Museum in Harrisburg?

Of course, there is the Gettysburg National Military Park. If you are a history buff, have you explored the Brandywine Battlefield Park?

There is a lot to see and do at the museums in Pennsylvania — in your own backyard and across the commonwealth. Take time to explore the wonders of Pennsylvania’s many museums and historic sites. You can plan your trips by visiting www.PAMuseums.org.

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